Manly will limp into the latest installment of their famous rivalry with Cronulla after injuries to key men Tom Trbojevic and Dylan Walker.
But as they showed in beating the Raiders after the pair went down last weekend, the plucky Sea Eagles can never be discounted.
The Sharks probably won't have much sympathy for their old foes, who beat them in two brutal grand finals in the 1970s.
More recently, Manly knocked Cronulla out of last year's playoffs, ending Paul Gallen's illustrious career on a sour note.
That will surely be on the Sharks' minds as they shoot for back-to-back wins.
Match: Sea Eagles v Sharks
Round 7 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
8th Position
away Team
Sharks
11th Position
Venue: Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
The Rundown
Team News
Sea Eagles: Sean Keppie will start the match in jersey No.16, with Martin Taupau to come off the interchange bench. Morgan Boyle and Abbas Miski were the last two players dropped from squad. Tom Trbojevic (hamstring) and Dylan Walker (ankle) are out with Brendan Elliot moving to fullback, Lachlan Croker to five-eighth, Jorge Taufua returns on the wing. Cade Cust joins the interchange.
Haumole Olakau'atu and Toafofoa Sipley were omitted 24 hours before kick-off. Manly have won 11 of their past 12 games against the Sharks.
Sharks: As was the case last week, with an hour until game time it was announced that Braden Hamlin-Uele will start the match with Andrew Fifita to come off the interchange bench. Scott Sorensen ad Connor Tracey were the last two players dropped from the squad. The Sharks’ winning record against the Sea Eagles (26%) is their worst against any opposition. William Kennedy and Jackson Ferris were omitted 24 hours before kick-off.
Match: Sea Eagles v Sharks
Round 7 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Brendan ElliotFullback for Sharks is number 1 Matt Moylan
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jorge TaufuaWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
-
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Brad ParkerCentre for Sharks is number 3 Josh Dugan
-
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Tevita FunaCentre for Sharks is number 4 Jesse Ramien
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Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Reuben GarrickWinger for Sharks is number 5 Bryson Goodwin
-
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Lachlan CrokerFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Shaun Johnson
-
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-EvansHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Chad Townsend
Forwards
-
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Sharks is number 10 Aaron Woods
-
Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Danny LeviHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
-
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 16 Sean KeppieProp for Sharks is number 15 Braden Hamlin-Uele
-
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Joel Thompson2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
-
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Curtis Sironen2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Wade Graham
-
Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake TrbojevicLock for Sharks is number 13 Jack Williams
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 10 Martin TaupauInterchange for Sharks is number 8 Andrew Fifita
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Cade CustInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Toby Rudolf
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Jack GosiewskiInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Siosifa Talakai
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Taniela PasekaInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Royce Hunt
Match Officials
- Referee: Adam Gee
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell
Last updated:
Key Match-Up
Sione Katoa v Jorge Taufua. If not for Katoa's brilliant hat-trick against the Bulldogs, Cronulla would be almost at the foot of the ladder instead of just outside the top eight. The acrobatic winger is pitted against the powerful Taufua in what should be a great battle.
